Big Shots Loaded 16U Standouts
Every year I get the pleasure of enjoying some local AAU basketball on my birthday, as one of the premier grassroots even companies Big Shots teams up with one of the premier programs in the country Team Loaded for the…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingEvery year I get the pleasure of enjoying some local AAU basketball on my birthday, as one of the premier grassroots even companies Big Shots teams up with one of the premier programs in the country Team Loaded for the Big Shots Loaded event in Richmond. Not only is it special because it’s on my birthday, it was also the first local AAU event I ever covered about five years ago with Vantage Hoops.
Now that the sentimental aspect is done, I got an opportunity to watch high level talent from Maryland, DC, Virginia, West Virginia and the Carolinas. With all of the talent I saw, I have broken up my standouts by age group. 16U was the age group I didn’t get the chance to watch too much of, so here’s a short breakdown of some of the standouts I saw.
Jason Nelson | 5’8” PG | Team Loaded VA
The only time that you’ll doubt Nelson’s impact is when you first see him, but it doesn’t take long for you to realize that despite his height he’s a big time playmaker who is a natural floor general and leader. He controls the pace of the game like an NBA veteran, he finds his shooters in transition and in drive-and-kick situations and he’s always able to get his big men easy catch-and-finishes as well as find his wings when they move without the ball. He’s able to score it when his team needs it to and he knows when it’s time to take over, as well as a guy who locks up and sets the tone defensively.
Jaeden Freeman | 6’4” WF | Team Loaded VA
It was my first time seeing Freeman in close to an entire calendar year, and it seemed like he was trending and improving in all of the right ways moving forward. He looks like he’s grown a couple of inches, he continues to fill out and he continues to be the perfect glue guy who can do a number of different things to help his team. He can catch-and-shoot, he has good athleticism and length that makes him good in transition and allows him to guard multiple positions and he’s a physical and high motor wing who doesn’t mind doing do the dirty work for his team as well.
Houston Emory | 6’9” PF | Team Loaded VA
He didn’t play much at Blue Ridge because they were so stacked with upperclassmen, but Emory showed he’s going to be one to keep an eye on in the VISAA moving forward next season. He’s a legit 6’9” who can run the floor and moves well, he has a good mix of length and athleticism that allows him to protect the rim and finish above it as well and he showed good touch and a couple solid post moves as well. The best part about him is that he doesn’t mind getting physical in the paint and will make himself a dominant force that makes others question coming down the lane.
Mike Gray | 6’2” G | Team Loaded VA
Another Blue Ridge product on this Loaded group, Gray is a natural scoring guard who can play both guard positions and fill it up in bunches. He’s a knock down shooter from deep who hits one and is able to hit a number of tough ones after that. He has a loose but good handle where he’s able to break down defenders, he has the natural ability to create space or find contact to get to the line and while he’s a score-first guy he isn’t overly selfish and makes the right play for his teammates as well.
Trey Thomas | 6’1” PG | Team Loaded DC 2022
The Archbishop Carroll guard had a terrific showing as his entire team not only played up in the 16U bracket, but they also won it beating Team Loaded VA in the championship. A tough guard with good size and athleticism, Thomas is a walking bucket at the point guard position as he’s able to blow past defender and get to the rim whenever he wants. He’s a shotmaker off the bounce, he can get to the line at will and he has a toughness and go-getter mentality that you love to see out of a young scorer.
David Onanina | 6’7” PF | Team Loaded DC 2022
Onanina is still a project of sorts on the offensive end but he has the body, athleticism and high motor to possibly reach his full potential in the next few years. He’s a beast on the defensive end as he’s able to use his strength to guard in the post and he’s a big time rim protector who can come help side and block shots on driving guards. He runs the floor well and can finish above the rim in transition, and with some work on his post game and midrange game he’ll be a guy that’s a nightmare to match up with in the DMV area.
Jalen McDonald | 6’5” F | Team Loaded NC
McDonald looked every bit like a high major prospect for Loaded NC throughout the weekend, even possibly looking like the prospect in the 16U field at this year’s Big Shots Loaded event. The 6’5” lefty out of Knightsdale already has a college ready frame and athleticism, he uses his athleticism to make big time plays on both ends of the floor and he’s a competitor who wants to be the best player on the floor. He can catch-and-shoot from deep or create his own shot, and he’s a menace in transition where he’ll put it on your head. Definitely a guy for high majors to be tracking now.